Chapter 31 Maddox 55 vouchere The realization that Grayson still hadn't told her made me raise one corner of my mouth into a smirk I didn't even bother hiding. She caught it and gave a short and bitter laugh, like she had already decided that she hated whatever was about to come out of my mouth Placing a hand on her forehead, she sharply said, "You let her seduce you again?" I let the pause hang just long enough to see her chest rise and fall rapidly. "On the contrary, I showed up at her place, unannounced. That was the same day you were coming back from your honeymoon." I should've told her that Grayson knew about it, but that conversation wasn't about him, it was about Harper. "And you didn't bother to tell me about it?" she snapped. "Since when do I tell you about my private life?" She huffed, shaking her head like she was brushing me off. "You know what? It doesn't matter anymore. She's out of the picture because Kate-" "Kate?" I cut her off. She blinked rapidly. "Aren't you two a thing?" I slowly nodded to myself at how quickly she put a label on it. "You must be so stupid to think that I'm that stupid," I said. Her jaw dropped like she was offended. "This was what you wanted all along, but I just let you believe you'd won." My voice was low but sharp. "You're my brother," she said, almost pleading. "And-" "Brother?" I forced a laugh. "That's never stopped you from going to extreme lengths just to see me lose." "Oh, please! Not this again. We haven't had this conversation in years. I thought we were past that shit since you stopped bringing it up." "Past it?" I stepped closer, my jaw clenched. "Just because I tolerate you and give you a small spot in my doesn't mean we're good again." life "You know what?" She lifted her chin. "Keep that little spot for someone who actually wants it because I don't." "That," I said, savoring every word while pointing a finger at her, "is music to my ears." Chapter 31 Her glare lingered on me before she made a sharp turn. "I'm leaving." I sighed in satisfaction. "Good riddance." 55 vouchers She stormed off, heading back downstairs so she could leave and I couldn't wait. I had wanted to do that for a while and it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulder. I no longer had to wear that mask I had forced upon myself for years. Everything was just as I wanted it to be. With her out of the way, I took out my phone and dialed Harper's number. The first time, it rang until it cut. I tried a second time and it was the same thing, making my chest tighten I even feared that she might have left. By the third try, I had already come up with a few options to find her in case she wasn't going to pick up finally, the line clicked. but "For someone who stopped picking my calls, you're definitely not giving up now that it's your turn," she said from the other end of the line. I chuckled softly. "Where are you?" Harper Zoey and Ella had returned inside after Maddox had called so they could give us some privacy. I waited right by the same large tree on the lawn, thinking back to what the two of them had said about Grayson. They were right about everything, but it wasn't as easy as waking up the next morning and forgetting about the way he made me feel. Maddox came outside faster than I expected, moving with long strides like he was running out of time. Before he could even get too far, two drunk girls followed him from inside. He looked back and paused, the two of them now surrounding him as they giggled. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but one of them placed her hands on the sides of his arms from behind. He chuckled and pushed her hands away gently, but the other one ran her hand down his chest. She was slow and bold with it. He gently pushed her away, too. I pursed my lips. That was what he deserved after the way he made it seem like he was flirting with every girl... except me. He managed to convince them to go back inside, then continued looking around, swinging his head from left to right to scan the yard. I just watched him for a while to see how long it would take for him to find me. Then, he ruffled his hair in defeat, pulling out his phone and dialing a number. 16:02 Tue, Sep 16 Chapter 31 When my screen lit up, I shook my head but picked up while watching him from a distance. "Can't seem to find me, huh?" I teased him, my tone flat. "You might as well tell me where exactly you are," he said, like I was wasting his time. 37 55 vouchers Even after giving him directions on where exactly he could find me, it took him a while to get there. I made it easier by emerging from behind the wide tree trunk, my arms crossed after putting my phone away. "I never thought I'd say this," he said when he stopped right in front of me, "but for the first time, this place is too big." "Now it bothers you because of how long it took you to find me?" "Exactly." He moved closer, but I took a few steps to the left to widen the distance between us. "I see we're getting straight into it," he said it like a joke. My eyes narrowed. "I'm still mad at you for not picking up any of my calls and texting back like you didn't want to until you eventually just stopped. I only picked up when you called because you stopped Tiffany from announcing something to humiliate me up there in front of everyone." "We both know what she was going to say and I wasn't going to allow it. That was private." "Really?" I let out a dry laugh. "I thought you liked to brag to your friends about stuff like that." His mouth twitched. "Not in the way you think." He began to walk along the pavers, his hands in his pockets. I followed suit, the silence dragging on for a while before he spoke. "I'm certain you heard about Kate and I even before everything you saw today. Grayson definitely didn't miss the chance to make sure you stayed away." "He didn't have to," I said. "Your actions already did the job." "Harper," his tone shifted to something lower. "you need to know that the thing with Kate was-" "I was watching you closely and you were trying too hard," I cut in. "I already figured it out and a lot more." He stopped in his tracks, suddenly facing the night sky. "That, right there, is the reason you scare me." 10:02 Tue, Sep 16 37 Chapter 32 Title: A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way Author: CrushReels Genre: Romance, Modern Status: ongoing In "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" by CrushReels, Felix Lloyd finds himself in a predicament as he seeks to pacify his family's marriage expectations by renting a girlfriend for the holiday season. However, a serendipitous airport mishap leads Kendal Scott, the wrong woman, into his life. As Felix and Kendal navigate this unexpected twist of fate, the novel delves into themes of familial pressure, mistaken identities, and the complexities of modern relationships. CrushReels intricately weaves together elements of romance and contemporary dilemmas to create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers seeking a blend of heartwarming moments and unforeseen connections. What sets "A Boyfriend on Loan, A Real Love on Way" apart is its ability to balance light-hearted humor with poignant insights into the intricacies of human emotions. With its engaging storyline and relatable characters, this ongoing romance promises a captivating read for fans of modern love stories. Experience the unfolding tale of Felix and Kendal at CrushReels and immerse yourself in a world where love finds its way through unexpected avenues. Read online at CrushReels today to discover the enchanting journey awaiting within these digital pages.